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But the organ is not the only requisite to vision or to
perception of any kind: there must be a state of the soul
inclining it towards the sphere of sense.
Now it is the soul's character to be ever in the Intellectual
sphere, and even though it were apt to sense-perception, this
could not accompany that intention towards the highest; to
ourselves when absorbed in the Intellectual, vision and the other
acts of sense are in abeyance for the time; and, in general, any
special attention blurs every other. The desire of apprehension
from part to part- a subject examining itself- is merely
curiosity even in beings of our own standing, and, unless for
some definite purpose, is waste of energy: and the desire to
apprehend something external- for the sake of a pleasant sight-
is the sign of suffering or deficiency.
Smelling, tasting flavours [and such animal perceptions] may
perhaps be described as mere accessories, distractions of the
soul, while seeing and hearing would belong to the sun and the
other heavenly bodies as incidentals to their being. This would
not be unreasonable if seeing and hearing are means by which they
apply themselves to their function.
But if they so apply themselves, they must have memory; it is
impossible that they should have no remembrance if they are to be
benefactors, their service could not exist without memory.
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